Pubdate: Sun, 26 Mar 2000 Source: Express, Express on Sunday (UK) Copyright: 2000 The Express Contact: +44-171-922-7794 Website: http://www.express.co.uk/ Forum: http://bbs.lineone.net/community/forums.html Author: Kirsty Walker PLEA FOR SOFTER DRUG LAWS WILL BE THROWN OUT A HIGH-POWERED report into Britain's drug laws will be dismissed by the Government because it recommends relaxing the regulations. The report by the Police Foundation think-tank, which boasts Prince Charles as its president, will this week say that cannabis users should not be jailed and that Ecstasy is a relatively "soft" drug. But senior Whitehall sources have made it clear that Tony Blair, who is aware of the contents, is not impressed and the Government's stance on drugs will not change. Drug tsar Keith Hellawell also has robust views on the findings and does not believe that the laws on cannabis and Ecstasy, both seen as harmful substances, should be softened. A source said: "In the wake of alarming findings about the link between drugs and crime, it is very unlikely that the Prime Minister or Home Secretary are going to act on the recommendations. The Government is distinctly lukewarm about the report's main two recommendations." The findings come after a two-year inquiry conducted by a 12-strong committee of leading lawyers, academics and police officers. The think-tank will recommend that users should not be imprisoned for possessing cannabis, but should instead be subjected to fines or community punishment. This policy has been described as depenalisation rather than a complete decriminalisation. At the moment, users face up to seven years in jail for possession under a 29-year-old law. However, increasing numbers of police forces are currently turning a blind eye to widespread personal use. The report will also suggest tougher action against dealers. It will say that anyone who is caught with more than two grams of cannabis should be treated as a dealer and face tougher penalties. It is understood it will also say that Ecstasy, which is estimated to be used by around half a million people every weekend, is no longer treated as a Class A drug alongside heroin and cocaine. This is despite it being linked to a growing number of teenage deaths. Instead, the report says it should be downgraded to a Class C drug, like cannabis, which attracts milder criminal penalties and is seen as less harmful. Another source close to Mr Hellawell, who has formulated a 10-year action plan to combat drug use, said: "The Government line is very clear that legalisation will greatly increase the use of the harmful drug cannabis. It is a myth to say the drug is not harmful. There have also been 70 Ecstasy-related deaths in the UK this year. "Some pills have been found to have rat poisoning in them and it has serious long-term effects. Government policy is very clear on this." The inquiry has enjoyed semi-official status after Home Secretary Jack Straw said he would wait for the foundation report before considering whether drug laws should be changed. But ministers now believe that acting on the controversial proposals would send out the wrong message and would be guaranteed to upset anti-drug campaigners.The Police Foundation was set up 21 years ago to allow police chiefs, lawyers, academics, businessmen and civil servants to discuss the criminal law and the way it is applied. Although Prince Charles has been president since its launch, royal aides have stressed that he is "fundamentally and completely opposed to the decriminalisation of any drugs". - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D